Posted by Alan ChildressSo far I have found some useful links for storm information and various storm tracking tools and maps. Such trackers include 5-day models, computer models, interactive maps, and blogs. News stories are at Nola.com which is run by the Times-Picayune. They also link some trackers, as does The Weather Channel at Updates (but more specific and detailed ones are at my other links to follow).

Several options are found at the National Hurricane Center on this page. The National Weather Service is here.

Both Gustav and Hanna also have their own trackers and graphics at local Channel 6's www.wdsu.com. The local Fox channel (Live 8) has several good satellite sites here. An interactive one here is from StormPulse. They have one for Hanna too. Both allow zooming.

Here is an MSN storm tracker using Virtual Earth and allows zooming. You may need to update it as the link may be to an earlier map. Its advantage is that city names and locations are superimposed, so it is more useful than some of the others where you guess where Houma and Kenner are. It also projects windspeeds if you let your cursor sit on a spot.

Another very good source for various links to map, models, and tracks is www.wwltv.com. Also click on its Discussion tab for scientific updates.

The U.S. Geological Survey, here, has set up sensors to allow tracking of storm surge for Gustav. It is presented and explained well on a map. "This interactive tool can be used to track storm surge and floods in real-time on Google Maps before, during and after the storm." Its zooming tool is extremely precise and detailed, allowing you to create a zoom box.

Thanks! We are all fine, up in DC. It also looks like your old haunt in Miami will be spared by Hanna.

As a peke fan, you will be pleased to know that N.O. changed its policy this time on evacuating pets, allowing it. [Came a little late for my cat Spice, though, as he did not survive Katrina.] They were finally smart enough to figure out that most people with pets simply will not evacuate without them. I bet you understand.